Tesla inches towards initiating vehicle sales in India
Tesla Makes Its Mark in India's Auto Market
Tesla, the pioneering electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, has taken a significant step into India's auto market. After years of negotiations and regulatory hurdles, the company has launched its first showroom in Mumbai in July 2025, followed by another in Delhi in August. Deliveries of the Model Y are expected to start by the third quarter of 2025, targeting major metropolitan areas like Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, and Gurugram [1][2][3][5].
The Indian government has reduced import duties on EVs costing above $40,000 from 100% to 70%, making Tesla imports more attractive, although tariffs remain high for wider adoption. Tesla is participating in India's BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) incentive program, which allows import of a limited number of vehicles at a lowered 15% duty if local manufacturing starts within two years [1][3][4].
In a bid to further reduce costs and tap into the incentives, Tesla is planning to establish a Gigafactory in India with projected investments of $2-3 billion and a manufacturing capacity of 500,000 vehicles annually. This move could potentially make India a regional export hub to Southeast Asia [1][3][4].
Tesla's entry into India is a long-planned move, with Elon Musk meeting with India's Prime Minister earlier this year. The company is refunding reservation fees for customers who reserved vehicles as early as 2016, indicating a strong demand for Tesla's offerings in the country [6].
The impact on India's domestic auto industry could be significant. Tesla's advanced technology, particularly in software (Autopilot, over-the-air updates), battery innovation, and charging infrastructure, sets it apart from local competitors such as Tata Motors and Mahindra who currently lead the Indian BEV market. Tesla’s premium, metro-focused entry targets early adopters with a willingness to pay for cutting-edge EVs and infrastructure, putting competitive pressure on homegrown and other international brands [1][3][4].
Moreover, Tesla's planned affordable model for India, priced roughly between $22,900 and $28,625, could disrupt the market further by addressing cost-sensitive consumers, challenging existing players [1][3][4]. The arrival of Tesla in India could create tension with domestic manufacturers, but it could also accelerate EV adoption and innovation domestically.
Tesla is expanding its charging infrastructure with new Supercharger stations planned in key cities such as Mumbai and Delhi. The company has selected locations for its first two stores, one in Mumbai and one in New Delhi. A new version of the Model Y has been spotted testing on Indian roads this month, hinting at the imminent start of deliveries [2][3][5].
India, the world's third-largest auto market, has a rapidly growing appetite for premium EVs. Tesla's strategic and phased entry is expected to significantly shake up the Indian automotive and EV markets over the coming years [1][2][3][4][5].
[1] Tesla India [2] BloombergQuint [3] Reuters [4] Economic Times [5] CNN [6] TechCrunch
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